The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for parts of central and southern Illinois with as many as seven inches of snow forecast.
Weather service officials say the snow is expected to begin late Friday in central and southern Illinois developing from a winter storm system in the southwestern U.S. Snow is expected to continue into Saturday, sometimes mixed with rain.
No weather watches or warnings were in effect for Illinois north of greater Peoria and Bloomington on Thursday. But weather service forecasters say the area can expect between 1 and 3 inches of snow late Friday and into Saturday.
The heaviest amounts are expected to be between 5 and 7 inches west and southwest of Springfield to Shelbyville to Olney. Slippery road conditions are expected.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency said Thursday that it is coordinating with state agencies if assistance is needed. State officials urged the public to prepare for the storm.
